2026 World Cup!

[Headsterx]

World Cup draw @ 12pm EST!!!

Let's get excited about the World Cup draw

The 2026 World Cup officially kicks off June 11. In reality, though, it begins later today with the draw. The World Cup draw sounds like a simple selection show — think of the upcoming College Football Playoff bracket unveiling, or even March Madness’ Selection Sunday — but this is something more, something bigger. I’ll try to condense this: The selection shows many sports fans default to are sort of jazzed-up emails. PDF files could make these hour-long shows obsolete in 10 minutes. The World Cup draw, however, is an entire ceremony, meant to highlight the host country/region (in this case, North America) and emphasize how special this event is. It only happens on the men’s side every four years, etc. There will be speeches, musical performances and even awards in Washington, D.C. It is a spectacle unto itself. A new wrinkle: The World Cup is much bigger this year, as you may know. The field expanded to 48 teams, up from the previous 32 entrants. There is some worry that this waters down competition, but we also have countries making the World Cup for the first time ever. Hello, Cape Verde. So wait, what is actuallyannounced? We’ll find out every group today, with teams drawn from four different pots, as they’re calling them. The pots are comprised of teams of the same perceived stature/ranking. Each group will get one team from each pot. So, each group will theoretically have one team from each talent class. Then we can get into normal group play, which then determines the knockout rounds, so on and so forth. There are still six slots in Pot 4 to be determined, via playoff matches in March. Two other points we need to discuss: Today is a sprawling day, as groups will be overanalyzed within hours of the draw. We’ll have picked a Group of Death, or the hardest group to survive, and a favored World Cup winner. If you want to play around beforehand, use our cool new simulator, which can generate every possible draw for your team:

[Optional]

I hope Australia ends up in the Canada group

[k13]

Argentina to draw Iran has value.

[Headsterx]

Argentina to draw Iran has value.

I didn’t know you can bet on the draw. Don’t know if I want to do it. as corrupt as FIFA is, unless I have inside information.

[Igor_1965]

Here...we....go

[k13]

I didn’t know you can bet on the draw. Don’t know if I want to do it. as corrupt as FIFA is, unless I have inside information.

That's why I'm betting on it.
Completely corrupt

[Optional]

[Headsterx]

Brazil and Argentina got cupcakes groups.

[Angie100m]

scroll to 2:30:00 if you don't have all day BUT still want to feel like you've watched the show

[Angie100m]

None of the WC-2026 winner outright prices budged during or after the draw.

I wonder if anything will move before March when Euro teams have their playoff? I like Portugal 10:1 and Spain of course

[Angie100m]

Groups B, D, I look really fun.

Norway in pot 3 will not happen for as long as Haaland is in his prime

[JAKEPEAVY21]

Looks like the USA got a very favorable group...

Australia is likely on the outside looking in assuming Turkey plays it's way in(likely)...Turkey and USA to advance from the group play.

[Optional]

Looks like the USA got a very favorable group...

Australia is likely on the outside looking in assuming Turkey plays it's way in(likely)...Turkey and USA to advance from the group play.

Yeah I think we may be in trouble in group D

[JAKEPEAVY21]

Yeah I think we may be in trouble in group D

You never know but it looks to be an uphill battle. However, it is hardly a slam dunk that the USA will go through and from what I remember(could be mistaken?) your Aussies played above expectations last world cup? Assuming Turkey plays their way into the group, I see them getting through and then there is one spot up for grabs.

[Optional]

You never know but it looks to be an uphill battle. However, it is hardly a slam dunk that the USA will go through and from what I remember(could be mistaken?) your Aussies played above expectations last world cup? Assuming Turkey plays their way into the group, I see them getting through and then there is one spot up for grabs.

Socceroos had an awful last WC and kind of been not great for 6 or 8 years until recently. Could be a wild card but Turkey and USA will be tough games for them.

Making it into pot 2 was supposed to make it easier for us to get a good group. :\

[packerd_00]

Optional - SBR needs to do another contest for the World Cup mate.

I was so close to getting that grand prize last time had Brazil shown up in the knockouts.

[Headsterx]

Welcome to America the land of consumerism. World Cup games will have 3 minutes dehydration breaks which will become 3 minutes of commercials.

[Optional]

Optional - SBR needs to do another contest for the World Cup mate.

I was so close to getting that grand prize last time had Brazil shown up in the knockouts.

Agree! Will get in Andys ear ;-)

[packerd_00]

Agree! Will get in Andys ear ;-)

Cheers mate. Actually I'm surprised Australia and New Zealand haven't hosted one of these tournaments together.

[Optional]

Cheers mate. Actually I'm surprised Australia and New Zealand haven't hosted one of these tournaments together.

Yeah, we probably already have the stadiums for it. Just not important enough in world football I guess.

Although we hosted the womens world cup 2 years ago. And that got an amazing reception and crowd numbers.

[packerd_00]

Yeah, we probably already have the stadiums for it. Just not important enough in world football I guess.

Although we hosted the womens world cup 2 years ago. And that got an amazing reception and crowd numbers.

Yeah I think between both countries they should be able to put together a strong proposal.